Memphis Destination Planning Guide 2009 - (Page S3) Why Memphis? There is an ongoing debate among Memphians as to what sport defines the city’s passion. Is it a basketball town with its NBA Memphis Grizzlies and perennial Elite Eight University of Memphis Tigers? Is it a baseball town with its Memphis Redbirds, the AAA affiliate for the St. Louis Cardinals? Is it a football city full of graduates and fans of the SEC and Conference USA teams and host to the Liberty Bowl and Southern Heritage Classic? The answer is all of these and more. Since 1996 the city of Memphis has made tremendous strides in transforming itself into an up-and-coming sports destination. From one of the finest minor league baseball parks in the country in AutoZone Park, to FedExForum, home to the state-of-the-art basketball arena, Memphis offers a flexible and accommodating cross-section of facilities, hotels, restaurants and attractions for the visiting athlete, sportsman or fans. Add a vibrant nightlife and music scene to the roster and you’ll discover why Memphis is your choice sports destination. Booya! Memphis is an excellent choice for your next big game, tournament, or sporting event. In addition to great sporting venues and arenas, Memphis offers a collection of unique visitor experiences. A few of the things that you should check out include Elvis Presley’s Graceland, the panda and polar bear exhibits at the Memphis Zoo, Sun Studio, Beale Street, the Smithsonian Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, Stax Museum of American Soul Music and the mighty Mississippi River. Also, don’t forget to taste the amazing Southern soul food and barbecue that are at the heart of Memphis. These are just a few of the many reasons that Memphis is known as the Home of the Blues and the Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll. If that isn’t compelling enough, put yourself on the roster of many Memphis sports icons. • Each year Memphian Loren Roberts hosts the annual Loren Roberts Celebrity Pro-Am for charity. • The U of M produced so many star athletes such as DeAngelo Williams, American football running back , in the NFL who currently plays for the Carolina Panthers. • What would the NBA be without that famous silhouette in their logo which is none other than Jerry West, former General Manager of the Memphis Grizzlies? • Another Memphian who was the most dominant professional racquetball player of the 1990s is the internationally acclaimed Andy Roberts. deangelo williams 3
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